THREE men were asked to leave Brownsea Island after they were caught with bedding and lighting a fire.

Dorset Police confirmed they received a report of suspicious activity on the National Trust land at 7.20pm on Sunday, August 22, involving three men.

It was reported that they arrived by boat carrying bedding and bags with it suspected they intended to illegally camp there.

The force said that National Trust staff then came across the individuals who had lit a fire, which they promptly put out, before asking the trio to leave.

The Marine Policing Team followed up on the report initially following the reports "suspicious behaviour".

Officers are now said to be liaising with the Poole Harbourmaster as well as the National Trust in relation to the incident with further enquiries still ongoing.

Brownsea Island is the largest island in Poole Harbour and is owned by the National Trust with the northern half managed by the Dorset Wildlife Trust.

The Dorset Marine Policing Team reminded people, via social media, to respect the signage in terms of no fires or barbecues on the island.